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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

J. VARREN BROWN AND ELIAKIM RICE, OF NEV YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNORS TO J. WARREN BROWN, OF SAME PLAGE.

CLASP FOR POCKET-BOOKS.

Specication forming part of Letters Patent No. 53,520, dated March 27, 1866.

To all 'whom it may concern:

Beit known that we, J. WARREN BROWN and ELIAKIM RICE, of the city, county, and State of New York, have invented a new and Improved Fastening for Pocket-Books; and we do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, which will enable those skilled in the art to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specitication, in which- Figure l represents a plan of this invention when open. Fig. 2 is a horizontal vertical section of the same when closed. Fig. 3 is a plan of the same.

Similar letters ot reference indicate corresponding parts.

This invention relates to a fastening for pocket-books and other similar articles, which is intended to supersede the ordinary fastening composed of an elastic strap or band, and

which accommodates itself to the quantity of bills, papers, or other articles contained in said pocket-book.

The improvement consists in a T-shaped button, which, when turned in one direction, can be made to enter a slotted metal plate, and when turned in the other direction it catches under the inner edges ot said slotted plate and fastens the two parts together to which the button and plate are attached. In order to prevent the button from sliding to and fro in the slotted plate, a lip projecting` from the bed-plate ot' the button is made to catch in small nicks on the sides of the slot in the metal plate.

A represents a pocket-book of any suitable construction, or any other article of similar nature. To the closing-aps ot' this pocketbook is secured the bed-plate a, which is provided with a socket to receive the button b.

The inner end ot' this button is T-shaped, and on its outer end is mounted a handle of any suitable shape, whereby the same can be turned in either direction.

To the bo'dy of the pocket-book is secured a slotted plate, c, in such a position that when t-he closingap is turned down the T-shaped button b can be made to enter the slot in the plate, and by turning the button the pocketbook is closed.

The slot in the plate cis of such a length that the closing-tlap will accommodate itself readily to the greater or smaller quantity of bills, papers, or other articles contained in said pocket-book 3 butit' the slot isleft smooth throughout the button would be liable to slide back and forward and to turn and open spontaneously. This difficulty is overcome by providing the bed-plate a with a lip, d, which, when the pocket-book is closed, catches in one ofthe nicks c on the edges'of the slot in the plate c, and by these means the button is prevented from sliding in the slotted plate.

This fastening is very simple in its construction. It can be made plain or it may be ornamented in various ways. It is easily secured in position, andit is durable and not liable to wear out or get out of order as long as the pocket-book lasts.

What we claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

The lip d and nicks e, in combination with the swivel-button b and slotted plate c, constructed and operating substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

J. WARREN BROWN. ELIAKIM RICE.

Witnesses:

WM. DEAN OVERELI., O. L. TOPLIEF. 

